Highly efficient method for 125I-radiolabeling of biomolecules using inverse-electron-demand Diels–Alder reaction

In this report, we present a rapid and highly efficient method for radioactive iodine labeling of trans-cyclooctene group conjugated biomolecules using inverse-electron-demand Diels–Alder reaction. Radioiodination reaction of the tetrazine structure was carried out using the stannylated precursor 2 to give ¹²⁵I-labeled product ([¹²⁵I]1) with high radiochemical yield (65 ± 8%) and radiochemical purity (>99%). For radiolabeling application of [¹²⁵I]1, trans-cyclooctene derived cRGD peptide and human serum albumin were prepared. These substrates were reacted with [¹²⁵I]1 under mild condition to provide the radiolabeled products [¹²⁵I]6 and [¹²⁵I]8, respectively, with excellent radiochemical yields. The biodistribution study of [¹²⁵I]8 in normal ICR mice showed significantly lower thyroid uptake values than that of ¹²⁵I-labeled human serum albumin prepared by a traditional radiolabeling method. Therefore [¹²⁵I]8 will be a useful radiolabeled tracer in various molecular imaging and biological studies. Those results clearly demonstrate that [¹²⁵I]1 will be used as a valuable prosthetic group for radiolabeling of biomolecules.     

Radioiodinated sunitinib as a potential radiotracer for imaging angiogenesis-radiosynthesis and first radiopharmacological evaluation of 5-[125I]Iodo-sunitinib

Sunitinib® (SU11248) is a highly potent tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR). Radiolabeled inhibitors of RTKs might be useful tools for monitoring RTKs levels in tumour tissue giving valuable information for anti-angiogenic therapy. We report here the synthesis of a ¹²⁵I-labeled derivative of sunitinib® and its first radiopharmaceutical characterization.The non-radioactive reference compound 5-iodo-sunitinib 4 was prepared by Knoevenagel condensation of 5-iodo-oxindole with the corresponding substituted 5-formyl-1H-pyrrole. In a competition binding assay against VEGFR-2 a binding constant (K_d) of 16 nM for 4 was found. The ability of 4 to inhibit tyrosine kinase activity was demonstrated on RTK expressing cells suggesting this radiotracer as a useful tool for monitoring VEGFR expression. 5-[¹²⁵I]lodo-sunitinib, [¹²⁵I]-4 was obtained via destannylation of the corresponding tributylstannyl precursor with [¹²⁵I]NaI in the presence of H₂O₂ in high radiochemical yield (>95%) and radiochemical purity (<98%) after HPLC purification. Determination of human plasma protein binding at time intervals of 0; 1; 2; 4 and 24 h suggested a low non-specific binding of 5-10%. Preliminary biodistribution studies of [¹²⁵I]-4 in healthy CD-1 mice showed a relatively high uptake in VEGFR-2 rich tissues like kidney and lung followed by rapid washout (9.6 and 9.7; 4.5 and 3.8% ID/g of kidney and lung at 1 and 4 h, respectively).     

Synthesis and evaluation of novel radioiodinated PSMA targeting ligands for potential radiotherapy of prostate cancer

Radioligand therapy (RLT) using prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeting ligands is an attractive option for the treatment of Prostate cancer (PCa) and its metastases. We report herein a series of radioiodinated glutamate-urea-lysine-phenylalanine derivatives as new PSMA ligands in which l-tyrosine and l-glutamic acid moieties were added to increase hydrophilicity concomitant with improvement of in vivo targeting properties. Compounds 8, 15, 19a/19b and 23a/23b were synthesized and radiolabeled with ¹²⁵I by iododestannylation. All iodinated compounds displayed high binding affinities toward PSMA (IC₅₀ = 1–13 nM). In vitro cell uptake studies demonstrated that compounds containing an l-tyrosine linker moiety (8, 15 and 19a/19b) showed higher internalization than MIP-1095 and 23a/23b, both without the l-tyrosine linker moiety. Biodistribution studies in mice bearing PC3-PIP and PC3 xenografts showed that [¹²⁵I]8 and [¹²⁵I]15 with higher lipophilicity exhibited higher nonspecific accumulations in the liver and intestinal tract, whereas [¹²⁵I]19a/19b and [¹²⁵I]23a/23b containing additional glutamic acid moieties showed higher accumulations in the kidney and implanted PC3-PIP (PSMA+) tumors. [¹²⁵I]23b displayed a promising biodistribution profile with favorable tumor retention, fast clearance from the kidney, and 2–3-fold lower uptake in the liver and blood than that observed for [¹²⁵I]MIP-1095. [^125/131I]23b may serve as an optimal PSMA ligand for radiotherapy treatment of prostate cancer over-expressing PSMA.     

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of radioiodinated indolequinones targeting NAD(P)H: Quinone oxidoreductase 1 for internal radiation therapy

NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is an obligate two-electron reductase and is highly expressed in many human solid cancers. Because NQO1 can be induced immediately after exposure to ionizing radiation, we aimed to develop an NQO1-targeted radiolabeled agent to establish a novel internal radiation therapy that amplifies the therapeutic effects when combined with external radiation therapy. We designed three NQO1-targeted radioiodinated compounds including two ether linkage compounds ([¹²⁵I]1 and [¹²⁵I]2) and a sulfide linkage compound ([¹²⁵I]3) based on the selective binding of indolequinone analogs to the active site of NQO1 by the stacking effect. These compounds were successfully prepared using an oxidative iododestannylation reaction with high radiochemical yields and purity. In NQO1-expressing tumor cells, [¹²⁵I]1 and [¹²⁵I]2 were readily metabolized to p-[¹²⁵I]iodophenol or m-[¹²⁵I]iodophenol and [¹²⁵I]I⁻, whereas over 85% of the initial radioactivity of [¹²⁵I]3 was observed as an intact form at 1 h after incubation. The cellular uptake of [¹²⁵I]3 was significantly higher than those of [¹²⁵I]1 and [¹²⁵I]2. The uptake of [¹²⁵I]3 was specific and was dependent on the expression of NQO1. These data suggest that the novel NQO1-targeted radioiodinated compound [¹²⁵I]3 could be used as a novel internal radiation agent for the treatment of cancer.     

Synthesis of [I]iodoDPA-713: A new probe for imaging inflammation

[¹²⁵I]IodoDPA-713 [¹²⁵I]1, which targets the translocator protein (TSPO, 18 kDa), was synthesized in seven steps from methyl-4-methoxybenzoate as a tool for quantification of inflammation in preclinical models. Preliminary in vitro autoradiography and in vivo small animal imaging were performed using [¹²⁵I]1 in a neurotoxicant-treated rat and in a murine model of lung inflammation, respectively. The radiochemical yield of [¹²⁵I]1 was 44 ± 6% with a specific radioactivity of 51.8 GBq/μmol (1400 mCi/μmol) and >99% radiochemical purity. Preliminary studies showed that [¹²⁵I]1 demonstrated increased specific binding to TSPO in a neurotoxicant-treated rat and increased radiopharmaceutical uptake in the lungs of an experimental inflammation model of lung inflammation. Compound [¹²⁵I]1 is a new, convenient probe for preclinical studies of TSPO activity.     

N-(m-[125I]iodophenyl)maleimide: an agent for high yield radiolabeling of antibodies

In an effort to radiolabel antibodies, N-(m-[¹²⁵I]iodophenyl)maleimide (m-[¹²⁵I]IPM) was prepared by the demetallation of an N-[m-tri-(n-butyl)stannylphenyl]maleimide intermediate. The unlabeled intermediate was synthesized in ⩾ 75% yield using a palladium catalyzed reaction of hexabutylditin with m-bromoaniline, followed by reaction with maleic anhydride and ring annulation. All products were confirmed by NMR and elemental analysis. Labeling with ¹²⁵I was carried out in a biphasic mixture containing chloramine-T (radiochemical yield ⩾ 70%). Rabbit IgG modified with the heterobifunctional crosslinking agent N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate (SPDP) and bovine serum albumin were conjugated with m-[¹²⁵I]IPM (yield: 40 and 80%, respectively). In addition, m-[¹²⁵I]IPM was conjugated to rabbit IgG subunits (HL) in 70% yield. The in vitro stability of the radiolabeled proteins in serum showed < 1% deiodination over 24 h.     

Imaging Axl expression in pancreatic and prostate cancer xenografts

The receptor tyrosine kinase Axl is overexpressed in and leads to patient morbidity and mortality in a variety of cancers. Axl–Gas6 interactions are critical for tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. The goal of this study was to investigate the feasibility of imaging graded levels of Axl expression in tumors using a radiolabeled antibody. We radiolabeled anti-human Axl (Axl mAb) and control IgG1 antibodies with ¹²⁵I with high specific radioactivity and radiochemical purity, resulting in an immunoreactive fraction suitable for in vivo studies. Radiolabeled antibodies were investigated in severe combined immunodeficient mice harboring subcutaneous CFPAC (Axl^high) and Panc1 (Axl^low) pancreatic cancer xenografts by ex vivo biodistribution and imaging. Based on these results, the specificity of [¹²⁵I]Axl mAb was also validated in mice harboring orthotopic Panc1 or CFPAC tumors and in mice harboring subcutaneous 22Rv1 (Axl^low) or DU145 (Axl^high) prostate tumors by ex vivo biodistribution and imaging studies at 72 h post-injection of the antibody. Both imaging and biodistribution studies demonstrated specific and persistent accumulation of [¹²⁵I]Axl mAb in Axl^high (CFPAC and DU145) expression tumors compared to the Axl^low (Panc1 and 22Rv1) expression tumors. Axl expression in these tumors was further confirmed by immunohistochemical studies. No difference in the uptake of radioactivity was observed between the control [¹²⁵I]IgG1 antibody in the Axl^high and Axl^low expression tumors. These data demonstrate the feasibility of imaging Axl expression in pancreatic and prostate tumor xenografts.     

Synthesis of carbon-11-labeled isonicotinamides as new potential PET agents for imaging of GSK-3 enzyme in Alzheimer’s disease

The authentic standards 2-(cyclopropanecarboxamido)-N-(4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)isonicotinamide (4a) and 2-(cyclopropanecarboxamido)-N-(4-(4-methoxyphenyl)pyridin-3-yl)isonicotinamide (7a), and their corresponding precursors 2-(cyclopropanecarboxamido)-N-(4-hydroxypyridin-3-yl)isonicotinamide (4b) and 2-(cyclopropanecarboxamido)-N-(4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)pyridin-3-yl)isonicotinamide (7b) were synthesized from methyl 2-aminoisonicotinate and cyclopropanecarbonyl chloride with overall chemical yield 47% in three steps, 22% in four steps, 40% in three steps, and 17% in four steps, respectively. The target tracers 2-(cyclopropanecarboxamido)-N-(4-[¹¹C]methoxypyridin-3-yl)isonicotinamide ([¹¹C]4a) and 2-(cyclopropanecarboxamido)-N-(4-(4-[¹¹C]methoxyphenyl)pyridin-3-yl)isonicotinamide ([¹¹C]7a) were prepared from the precursors (4b and 7b) with [¹¹C]CH₃OTf through O-[¹¹C]methylation and isolated by HPLC combined with SPE in 40–50% radiochemical yield, based on [¹¹C]CO₂ and decay corrected to end of bombardment (EOB). The radiochemical purity was >99%, and the specific activity (SA) at EOB was 370–1110 GBq/μmol with a total synthesis time of ～40-min from EOB.     

Synthesis and evaluation of (17α,20E)21-[125I]Iodo-11-substituted-19-norpregna-1,3,5(10),20-tetraene-3,17β-diols: the influence of 11-stereochemistry on tissue distribution of radioiodinated estrogens

The 21-tri-n-butylstannyl derivatives of (17α,20E)-11α and β-methoxy-19-norpregna-1,3,5(10),20-tetraene-3,17β-diol were synthesized and characterized. These compounds, as well as the 11-unsubstituted compound were converted via electrophilic ipso radioiododestannylation to the corresponding 21[¹²⁵I]iodo analogs at the no-carrier-added level in 73–90% isolated radiochemical yields. The radiochemical 4c [IVαME₂, (17,20E)-21[¹²⁵I]iodo-11α-methoxy-19-norpregna-1,3,5(10) ,20-tetraene-3,17β-diol] was evaluated in immature female rats and the results compared to those previously reported for 4a (IVE₂) and 4b (IVβ ME₂) to determine the influence of 11-substitution on the ability of the compounds to function as estrogen receptor-seeking agents in vivo. The results indicated that the uptake of 11α-methoxy derivative in the target organ was substantially lower, of shorter duration, with a much smaller specific receptor binding component than the other two radioligands. The distribution profile of the three 17α-iodovinyl estrogens paralleled that previously reported for the corresponding 17α-ethynyl estrogens and this study suggests that the in vivo pharmacological results reported for the 17α-ethynyl estrogens may be used to predict the in vivo behavior of the corresponding 17α-iodovinyl analogs.     

Design,synthesis, and biological evaluation of radioiodinated benzo[d]imidazole-quinoline derivatives for platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) imaging

Several malignant tumors and fibrotic diseases are associated with PDGFRβ overexpression and excessive signaling, making this receptor attractive for molecular targeting and imaging approaches. A series of benzo[d]imidazole-quinoline derivatives were designed and synthesized to develop radioiodinated compounds as PDGFRβ-specific imaging probes. The structure activity relationship (SAR) evaluation of the designed compounds was performed. Among them, 2-[5-(2-methoxyethoxy)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl]-8-(piperazin-1-yl)quinoline (5a) and 4-{2-[5-(2-methoxyethoxy)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl]quinolin-8-yl}morpholine (5d) exhibited a relatively high PDGFRβ-TK inhibitory potency, whereas iodinated 5a derivative 5-iodo-2-[5-(2-methoxyethoxy)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl]-8-(piperazin-1-yl)quinoline (8) exhibited a superior inhibitory potency as PDGFRβ inhibitor than iodinated 5d derivative 4-{5-iodo-2-[5-(2-methoxyethoxy)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl]quinolin-8-yl}morpholine (11). Furthermore, [¹²⁵I]8 and [¹²⁵I]11 were synthesized and evaluated for PDGFRβ radioligand ability, both in vitro and in vivo. Cellular uptake experiments showed that [¹²⁵I]8 had a higher uptake in BxPC3-luc cells as PDGFRβ-positive cells than [¹²⁵I]11. Incubation of [¹²⁵I]8 after pretreatment of PDGFRβ ligands significantly reduced the uptake of [¹²⁵I]8. In biodistribution experiments using tumor-bearing mice, [¹²⁵I]8 accumulation in the tumor 1?h postinjection was higher than that of the benzo[d]imidazol-quinoline derivative [¹²⁵I]IIQP, used in our previous research. These results indicate that [¹²⁵I]8 could be a promising PDGFRβ imaging agent. Although its clinical application requires further structural modifications, the results obtained in this research may be useful for the development of PDGFRβ-specific radioligands.     

Facile synthesis of SSR180575 and discovery of 7-chloro-N,N,5-trimethyl-4-oxo-3(6-[18F]fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole-1-acetamide,a potent pyridazinoindole ligand for PET imaging of TSPO in cancer

A novel synthesis of the translocator protein (TSPO) ligand 7-chloro-N,N,5-trimethyl-4-oxo-3-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole-1-acetamide (SSR180575, 3) was achieved in four steps from commercially available starting materials. Focused structure–activity relationship development about the pyridazinoindole ring at the N3 position led to the discovery of 7-chloro-N,N,5-trimethyl-4-oxo-3(6-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole-1-acetamide (14), a novel ligand of comparable affinity. Radiolabeling with fluorine-18 (¹⁸F) yielded 7-chloro-N,N,5-trimethyl-4-oxo-3(6-[¹⁸F]fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole-1-acetamide ([¹⁸F]-14) in high radiochemical yield and specific activity. In vivo studies of [¹⁸F]-14 revealed this agent as a promising probe for molecular imaging of glioma.     

Synthesis and evaluation of novel benzothiazole derivatives based on the bithiophene structure as potential radiotracers for β-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s disease

In this study, six novel benzothiazole derivatives based on the bithiophene structure were developed as potential β-amyloid probes. In vitro binding studies using Aβ aggregates showed that all of them demonstrated high binding affinities with K_i values ranged from 0.11 to 4.64 nM. In vitro fluorescent staining results showed that these compounds can intensely stained Aβ plaques within brain sections of APP/PS1 transgenic mice, animal model for AD. Two radioiodinated compounds [¹²⁵I]-2-(5′-iodo-2,2′-bithiophen-5-yl)-6-methoxybenzo[d]thiazole [¹²⁵I]10 and [¹²⁵I]-2-(2,2′-bithiophen-5-yl)-6-iodobenzo[d]thiazole [¹²⁵I]13 were successfully prepared through an iododestannylation reaction. Furthermore, in vitro autoradiography of the AD model mice brain sections showed that both [¹²⁵I]10 and [¹²⁵I]13 labeled the Aβ plaques specifically with low background. In vivo biodistribution studies in normal mice indicated that [¹²⁵I]13 exhibited high brain uptake (3.42% ID/g at 2 min) and rapid clearance from the brain (0.53% ID/g at 60 min), while [¹²⁵I]10 showed lower brain uptake (0.87% ID/g at 2 min). In conclusion, these preliminary results of this study suggest that the novel radioiodinated benzothiazole derivative [¹²⁵I]13 may be a candidate as an in vivo imaging agent for detecting β-amyloid plaques in the brain of AD patients.     

The importance of using the optimal plasticware and glassware in studies involving peptides

The unpredictable nature of peptide binding to surfaces requires optimization of experimental containers to be used. To demonstrate the variable recoveries of peptides from multiple surfaces commonly employed in peptide research, we tested the recovery of radiolabeled ¹²⁵I endocrine peptides under different conditions and provide guidelines for determining the surfaces to use for other peptides. ¹²⁵I-labeled peptides (ghrelin, sulfated cholecystokinin-8, corticotropin-releasing factor, glucagon-like peptide-1 [GLP-1], insulin, leptin, nesfatin-1, and peptide YY), representing a wide spectrum in net charge, size, end group, and modification, were incubated for 48 h in glass and plastic tubes untreated or coated with siliconizing fluid. Best surfaces were chosen and peptides were incubated with bovine serum albumin (BSA, 1%) with or without subsequent lyophilization. Recovery of ¹²⁵I-labeled peptides was determined by gamma counting. Important differences in ¹²⁵I-labeled peptide binding capacities to various types of surfaces exist. Siliconization decreased, whereas the addition of BSA improved recovery from surfaces tested. Lyophilizing solutions containing ¹²⁵I-labeled peptides and BSA in the tubes best suited for individual peptides rendered more than 89% recovery for all peptides. Ghrelin specifically displaced ¹²⁵I-ghrelin from borosilicate glass, whereas GLP-1 and Fmoc-arginine did not. Choosing the appropriate experimental container avoids unpredictable peptide loss that results in inaccurate measurements and false conclusions.     

Studies on 125I-labeled proteins in rat plasma using an air-driven ultracentrifuge: protein-protein interactions and nonideality

The molecular weights of a number of ¹²⁵I-labeled plasma proteins have been determined from an analysis of their sedimentation equilibrium behavior in an air-driven ultracentrifuge. The values obtained agree well with results obtained by other methods. Molecular weights obtained for ¹²⁵I-labeled bovine serum albumin and the rat serum proteins albumin, α₁-acid glycoprotein, and major acute-phase α₁-protein were unaffected by the addition of 7% rat plasma. Direct evidence for protein-protein interactions was obtained for mixtures of ¹²⁵I-labeled rat α₁-acid glycoprotein and the plant lectin concanavalin A and for mixtures of ¹²⁵I-labeled protein A from Staphylococcus aureus and 7% rat plasma. Interactions of a different type were observed when the sedimentation equilibrium profiles of ¹²⁵I-labeled proteins were determined in concentrated solutions of other proteins. Under these conditions the effects of molecular exclusion or nonideality became significant and low estimates were obtained for the molecular weights of the labeled proteins. Analysis of the data obtained for ¹²⁵I-labeled bovine serum albumin in concentrated solutions of bovine serum albumin (20–80 mg/ ml) yielded nonideality coefficients in good agreement with literature values. Analysis of the behavior of ¹²⁵I-labeled rat serum albumin, transferrin, and α₁-acid glycoprotein yielded nonideality coefficients and hence activities of these proteins in undiluted rat plasma.     

Radiosynthesis,biological evaluation and preliminary microPET study of 18F-labeled 5-resorcinolic triazolone derivative based on ganetespib targeting HSP90

Heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a molecular chaperone that activates oncogenic transformation in several solid tumors, including lung and breast cancers. Ganetespib, a most promising candidate among several HSP90 inhibitors under clinical trials, has entered Phase III clinical trials for cancer therapy. Despite numerous evidences validating HSP90 as a target of anticancer, there are few studies on PET agents targeting oncogenic HSP90. In this study, we synthesized and biologically evaluated a novel ¹⁸F-labeled 5-resorcinolic triazolone derivative (1, [¹⁸F]PTP-Ganetespib) based on ganetespib. [¹⁸F]PTP-Ganetespib was labeled by click chemistry of Ganetespib-PEG-Alkyne (10) and [¹⁸F]PEG-N₃ (11) with 37.3?±?5.11% of radiochemical yield and 99.7?±?0.09% of radiochemical purity. [¹⁸F]PTP-Ganetespib showed proper LogP (0.96?±?0.06) and good stability in human serum over 97% for 2?h. [¹⁸F]PTP-Ganetespib showed high uptakes in breast cancer cells containing triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) MDA-MB-231 and Her2-negative MCF-7 cells, which are target breast cancer cell lines of HSP90 inhibitor, ganetespib, as an anticancer. Blocking of HSP90 by the pretreatment of ganetespib exhibited significantly decreased accumulation of [¹⁸F]PTP-Ganetespib in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells, indicating the specific binding of [¹⁸F]PTP-Ganetespib to MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells with high HSP90 expression. In the biodistribution and microPET imaging studies, the initial uptake into tumor was weaker than in other thoracic and abdominal organs, but [¹⁸F]PTP-Ganetespib was retained relatively longer in the tumor than other organs. The uptake of [¹⁸F]PTP-Ganetespib in tumors was not sufficient for further development as a tumor-specific PET imaging agent by itself, but this preliminary PET imaging study of [¹⁸F]PTP-Ganetespib can be basis for developing new PET imaging agents based on HSP90 inhibitor, ganetespib.     

Synthesis and evaluation of 6-[1-(2-[(18)F]fluoro-3-pyridyl)-5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]quinoline for positron emission tomography imaging of the metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1 in brain

The purpose of this study was to synthesize 6-[1-(2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-3-pyridyl)-5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]quinoline ([¹⁸F]FPTQ, [¹⁸F]7a) and to evaluate its potential as a positron emission tomography ligand for imaging metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1 (mGluR1) in the rat brain. Compound [¹⁸F]7a was synthesized by [¹⁸F]fluorination of 6-[1-(2-bromo-3-pyridyl)-5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]quinoline (7b) with potassium [¹⁸F]fluoride. At the end of synthesis, 1280-1830 MBq (n = 8) of [¹⁸F]7a was obtained with >98% radiochemical purity and 118-237 GBq/??mol specific activity using 3300-4000 MBq of [¹⁸F]F⁻. In vitro autoradiography showed that [¹⁸F]7a had high specific binding with mGluR1 in the rat brain. Biodistribution study using a dissection method and small-animal PET showed that [¹⁸F]7a had high uptake in the rat brain. The uptake of radioactivity in the cerebellum was reduced by unlabeled 7a and mGluR1-selective ligand JNJ-16259685 (2), indicating that [¹⁸F]7a had in vivo specific binding with mGluR1. Because of a low amount of radiolabeled metabolite present in the brain, [¹⁸F]7a may have a limiting potential for the in vivo imaging of mGluR1 by PET.     

Demonstration of human platelet β-adrenergic receptors using 125I-labeled cyanopindolol and 125I-labeled hydroxybenzylpindolol

The radioiodinated pindolol analogs ¹²⁵I-labeled cyanopindolol ([¹²⁵I]CYP) and ¹²⁵I-labeled hydroxybenzylpindolol ([¹²⁵I]HBP) have been used to study binding to human platelet β-adrenergic receptors. [¹²⁵I]CYP binds to a saturable class of binding sites on platelet membranes with a dissociation constant (K_d) of 14±3 pM and maximal binding capacity (B_max) of 18±4 fmol/mg protein. Binding of [¹²⁵I]CYP is reversible and is characterized by forward and reverse rate constants of 1.8·10⁷ s^?1·M^?1 and 3.8·10^?4 s^?1, respectively. [¹²⁵I]HBP binds to a saturable class of platelet membrane sites with a K_d of 50±10 pM and B_max of 32±6 fmol/mg protein. [¹²⁵I]HBP also binds to a saturable class of sites on intact platelets with a K_d of 58±14 pM and B_max of 24±4 molecules per platelet. Binding of [¹²⁵I]CYP and [¹²⁵I]HBP is stereospecifically inhibited by propranolol and epinephrine; the (?) stereoisomers are at least 50-times more potent than the (+) stereoisomers. Binding of both radioligands is inhibited by adrenergic ligands with a potency order of propranolol ? isoproterenol > epinephrine > practolol > norepinephrine > phenylephrine. These observations indicate that [¹²⁵I]CYP and [¹²⁵I]HBP bind to platelet sites which have the pharmacological characteristics of β-adrenergic receptors but which are not typical of either the β₁ or β₂ sub-type.     

LOCALIZATION OF POLYSOME-BOUND ALBUMIN AND SERINE DEHYDRATASE IN RAT LIVER CELL FRACTIONS

The polysomes involved in albumin and serine dehydratase synthesis were identified and localized by the binding to rat liver polysomes of anti-rat serum albumin and anti-serine dehydratase [¹²⁵I]Fab dimer and monomer. Techniques were developed for the isolation of undegraded free and membrane-bound polysomes and for the preparation of [¹²⁵I]Fab monomers and dimers from the IgG obtained from the antisera to the two proteins, rat serum albumin and serine dehydratase. The distribution of anti-rat serum albumin [¹²⁵I]Fab dimer in the polysome profile is in accordance with the size of polysomes that are expected to be synthesizing albumin. By direct precipitation, it has been demonstrated that nascent chains isolated from the membrane-bound polysomes by puromycin were precipitated by anti-rat serum albumin-IgG at a level of 5–6 times those released from free polysomes. Anti-rat serum albumin-[¹²⁵I]Fab dimer reacted with membrane-bound polysomes almost exclusively compared to the binding of nonimmune, control [¹²⁵I]Fab dimer; a significant degree of binding of anti-rat serum albumin-[¹²⁵I]Fab to free polysomes was also obtained. The [¹²⁵I]Fab dimer made from normal control rabbit serum does not react with polysomes from liver at all and this preparation will not interact with polysomes extracted from tissues that do not synthesize rat serum albumin. Both anti-serine dehydratase-[¹²⁵I]Fab monomer and dimer react with free and bound polysomes from livers of animals fed a chow diet or those fed a high 90% protein diet and given glucagon. In the latter instance, however, it is clear that the majority of the binding occurs to the bound polysomes. Furthermore, the specificity of this reaction may be further shown by the use of kidney polysomes that do not normally synthesize serine dehydratase. When these latter polysomes are isolated, even after the addition of crude and purified serine dehydratase, no reaction with anti-serine dehydratase-Fab fragments could be demonstrated. These results indicate that the reaction of the Fab fragments are specific for polysomes that synthesize rat serum albumin or rat liver serine dehydratase. Furthermore, they demonstrate that even with this high degree of specificity, some polysomes in the fraction labeled "free" are in the process of synthesizing rat serum albumin while bound polysomes to a significant, if not major, degree are the site of the synthesis of rat liver serine dehydratase.     

A novel radiochemical method for the microdetermination of total and individual ketone bodies in biological materials

A novel radiochemical method has been developed for ultramicrodetermination of acetone based on the principle that ¹²⁵I-labeled iodoform is produced by iodination of acetone with ¹²⁵ICl. [¹²⁵I]Iodoform is readily counted as a measure of acetone after separation from unreacted iodide ions. Quantitative conversion of 3-hydroxybutyrate to acetoacetate takes place when NAD-dependent oxidation of 3-hydroxybutyrate by 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase is coupled with NADH-dependent reduction of pyruvate (or 2-oxoglutarate) by lactic dehydrogenase (or glutamic dehydrogenase). Acetoacetate thus formed produces acetone spontaneously when the acidified (deproteinized) reaction mixture is maintained at 50°C for 2 hr. Thus, total and individual ketone bodies in plasma are determined conveniently by combining the radiochemical determination of acetone with these conversion procedures.     

Synthesis and in vitro autoradiographic evaluation of a novel high-affinity radioiodinated ligand for imaging brain cannabinoid subtype-1 receptors

There is strong interest to study the involvement of brain cannabinoid subtype-1 (CB₁) receptors in neuropsychiatric disorders with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and a suitable radioligand. Here we report the synthesis of a novel high-affinity radioiodinated CB₁ receptor ligand ([¹²⁵I]8, [¹²⁵I]1-(2-iodophenyl)-4-cyano-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-N-(piperidin-1-yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylate, [¹²⁵I]SD7015). By autoradiography in vitro, [¹²⁵I]8 showed selective binding to CB₁ receptors on human brain postmortem cryosections and now merits labeling with iodine-123 for further evaluation as a SPECT radioligand in non-human primate.